Prisoners attend night musical show, return to cells at about 10pm

TWENTY two prisoners attended an evening musical show in Belvedere on Saturday and left at around 10pm.

Their presence drew the attention of some of the revellers.

Sixteen female and six male inmates were among the guests at the album launch of Mai TT at Longchen Plaza in Belvedere.

A number of guests rubbed shoulders with the inmates and some asked for some selfie moments with the inmates who were in their prison attire.

“Zvichiri zvekujeri here izvi kana kuti vakupikira vachibva kumba. This is after 9pm and the inmates are still out of prison cells,” one of the revellers was heard saying.

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Meya Khanyezi, and her deputy Superintendent Peter Chaparanganda, and some prison officers, accompanied the delegation of inmates.

Ass-Comm Khanyezi told H-Metro that the move was in accordance with the revised laws in line with the correctional aspect which is different from other punitive measures.

“Prison inmates are here to support Mai TT since they have been with her at Chikurubi Female Prison where she wrote some of her songs which are part of the album being launched,” said Ass-Comm Khanyezi..

“Inmates were supposed to be in cells but they have been accorded a chance to mix with revelers as a new measure in line with the new rehabilitation and reintegration system.

“They are in prison attire for easy identification and security reasons.

“Inmates come from the community and they return to the community hence the need to bridge the gap so that they welcome them upon completing their sentences.

“We continue to urge members of the public to consider visiting their friends and relatives serving prison sentences.

“We thank Mai TT for inviting the inmates and cherish her gesture, among the inmates we have artists like Chihomuhomu.

“The inmates must admire life outside prison and avoid returning to prison.”

One of the inmates, Thandiwe Dube, hailed the ZPCS for giving her a chance to party during the night.

“Today is a different day to us inmates since we normally return to our cells by 4pm.

“We are enjoying music and life outside prison by this hour and I commend the Government and ZPCS for considering that we are human beings and will return to join our families upon completing our sentences,” said Thandiwe.

Mai TT’s album launch was graced by a number of church leaders who included Prophetess Matimbire, Prophetess Rita, who is based in the UK, Prophet Kudakwashe Jose, Prophet Tapiwa Freddy, Prophetess Tino, Pastor Preston Maporisa and Evangelist Paddington Japajapa. _*HMetro*_